Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 28 I'll cover for you!

In Meng Ziyi's living room, Chen Xiu sat on the sofa, staring at the contract in her hand, her eyes darting back and forth.

Meng Ziyi, whose hair was still damp, and Meng's mother, Wang Qian, who was wearing an apron and preparing to cook, sat side by side on the sofa on the other side. The two held their breath, afraid of disturbing Chen Xiu.

About three minutes later, the moment Chen Xiu put the contract back on the coffee table, Wang Qian took the lead in asking questions.

"Xiao Chen, is there anything wrong with this contract?"

"No problem, it's just a standard new employee contract."

Chen Xiu looked up and smiled, giving an affirmative answer and telling them not to worry too much.

Meng Ziyi breathed a sigh of relief: "I told you there wouldn't be any problems! The contract was reviewed by a lawyer beforehand, so there's definitely no issue..."

"Don't speak yet, Xiao Chen has something to say!"

Wang Qian interrupted Meng Ziyi's speech, her eyes fixed on Chen Xiu.

She could sense that Chen Xiu had something else to say, and that important things were usually left for later.

Meeting Meng Ziyi's puzzled gaze, Chen Xiu nodded slightly, indicating that she did indeed have something to say.

"The terms are fine, and the advice given by the lawyer based on other contract templates in the industry is also fine. However, Zhejiang J Yongle Film and Television produces a limited number of film and television works. The contract's promise of one or more roles as the third female lead per year may be problematic."

"Isn't that just a false promise?"

Wang Qian couldn't help but exclaim that when Chen Xiu and Meng Ziyi came back and talked about the agency contract, she had already started to worry that her silly daughter had been deceived.

Hearing Chen Xiu say this, her first thought was to confirm that the terms were false, and then she would try to find a way to help Meng Ziyi terminate the contract.

"This is considered an unspoken rule among talent agencies in the industry. Newly signed artists will be given minor supporting roles in their first year, and then the market reaction will be observed before resources are allocated to them."

"If the market response is good, and the newcomer gains some popularity through supporting roles, the agency will help the artist secure projects from other companies, even if their own productions are limited; if the response is bad, then they are basically left to their own devices."

Chen Xiu explained that although he has never signed with a management company in this life, he did in his previous life.

Basically, any new talent that a talent agency can sign will have some merit, and they will be given some resources in the early stages.

Whether someone can become famous depends on too many variables, and even involves a certain degree of metaphysics. Therefore, talent agencies are very selective in signing new artists and stockpiling talent.

Generally speaking, if one out of dozens of newcomers can become a second-tier or higher star, that's considered a success.

The initial investment can be recouped through this artist.

In Chen Xiu's view, this behavior is quite similar to venture capital.

Meng Ziyi and Wang Qian were unaware of the intricacies of the entertainment industry, and their reactions to Chen Xiu's explanation were quite different.

"If my first TV series is successful, I won't have to worry about resources later on!"

"Are you stupid? Who can become famous with their first TV series? These days, without strong connections, becoming famous isn't that easy!"

Wang Qian's comments, though overly blunt, are not wrong.

Even in the future era of ubiquitous social media, if no one spends money to buy articles and generate traffic, it will be extremely difficult for celebrities to become famous solely based on their talent.

Suppressing her daughter's rebellious spirit, Wang Qian then asked Chen Xiu, "Xiao Chen, what do you think is the best way to handle Xiao Yi's contract?"

“I suggest we maintain this status quo and let Ziyi try it out. After all, Yongle has promised resources in the early stages. If the resources don't keep up later, it will be easier for us to apply for contract termination.”

Chen Xiu analyzed the situation rationally, without saying anything about potential negative reactions, but simply offered a solution.

While Meng Ziyi was still struggling with why she was talking about terminating the contract, Wang Qian had already discerned the underlying meaning in Chen Xiu's words.

"Xiao Chen, if it really comes to this, we'll have to trouble you with the meaning of the characters in the future."

"Auntie, this is all I should do."

Chen Xiu met Wang Qian's probing gaze and offered his guarantee. Earlier at the bathhouse, he had considered having Meng Ziyi terminate her contract so he could set up his own studio to promote her.

With the script rewards from the system, plus the foresight buff for the next ten years, Chen Xiu was confident that he could make Meng Ziyi famous even earlier.

However, on the way back, his thoughts changed somewhat.

Meng means "person," and a person has their own ideas. Even if these ideas seem naive to Chen Xiu and Wang Qian, she still needs to verify and summarize them herself.

What Chen Xiu could do was to provide backup after Meng Ziyi had tried, and then arrange more suitable resources for her so that she could try again.

Meng didn't understand the meaning, but Wang Qian did.

Nodding at Chen Xiu with satisfaction, Wang Qian said, "Xiao Chen, why don't you stay and have dinner with me and Xiao Yi tonight?"

"Auntie, I feel a bit tired after soaking in the hot water at the public bathhouse. I'd like to go back to the hotel to rest first, and I'll come to visit again tomorrow morning."

"Alright, I'll see you off."

Wang Qian reached out and pulled Meng Ziyi, who was about to get up, then saw Chen Xiu out and closed the door before quickly turning back to give her simple-minded daughter a "tutoring".

"Xiao Yi, you've struck gold this time!"

"Huh? What does that mean?"

Meng Ziyi stared with her clear, pure eyes, somewhat not understanding what Wang Qian meant.

Seeing that her silly daughter hadn't reacted yet, Wang Qian squeezed in next to her and sat down: "Is Xiao Chen's financial situation better? Don't look at me like that. Your mother isn't materialistic. The main thing is that Xiao Chen is capable and willing to consider and sacrifice for you. That's what's important."

"Well, his conditions are indeed quite good."

Meng blinked and gave a rather vague answer.

She didn't know much about Chen Xiu's specific situation, but judging from the restaurant, the bar where they went on their first date, the gambling, and the startup company whose legitimacy was uncertain, Chen Xiu seemed to be quite well-off.

"That's right, he doesn't seem like the type to talk nonsense."

Wang Qian nodded silently, then gave Meng Ziyi a meaningful look.

"There are some things that I should say, even if you think I'm being long-winded."

"What is it?"

"Whether you're male or female, only those who truly like someone will spend time and money on them. People who say they like someone but are stingy with their time and money should be dumped as soon as possible!"

Why are you suddenly bringing this up?

Meng frowned, puzzled. Wang Qian's rapid changes in topic made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Looking at her daughter's still innocent and naive appearance, Wang Qian was about to speak frankly, but then she realized that she should also teach Meng Ziyi to use her brain.

"Think about it, the way Xiao Chen spoke just now, doesn't it remind you of when you got into a fight in junior high school, and I went to the school to back you up?"

"They provoked me that time..."

"Can't you learn to focus on the important points?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Ziyi also carefully recalled the scene at that time and compared it with Chen Xiu's appearance just now.

"That's right! Chen Xiu's appearance just now was quite similar..."

"That's it! He's willing to back you up, spend time with you, and you still like him. A man who goes to this level is amazing! You've really struck gold!"

"I didn't really like him that much..."

"What are you pretending for?"

(End of this chapter)